Fertilizer Solubilizing Composition for Concentrated Tank Mixes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) containing fertilizers have low solubility in tank mixes, leading to precipitation and gel formation, which clogs irrigation systems and requires excessive water and equipment, and existing surfactants either cause precipitation or are expensive and ineffective on hydrophobic soils.
Innovation Solution
A solubilizing composition comprising an anionic surfactant, such as aryl or alkyl sulfonic acid, and humectants like glycerol and alkyl glycosides, enhances solubility and prevents precipitation, allowing for concentrated fertilizer application without soil compaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If anionic surfactants are used to wet hydrophobic soils, then soil wetting is improved, but fertilizer compounds precipitate out of solution forming gels that clog irrigation systems
Solution Approach 1:
A nonionic surfactant intermediary is introduced between the anionic surfactant and the fertilizer compound. The nonionic surfactant acts as a protective mediator that prevents direct interaction between the anionic surfactant and fertilizer, thereby preventing precipitation and gel formation while allowing the anionic surfactant to continue wetting hydrophobic soils effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite surfactant system combining nonionic and anionic surfactants in specific ratios. This composite material leverages the complementary properties of both surfactant types: the nonionic component prevents precipitation and provides soil wetting, while the anionic component enhances wetting of hydrophobic soils, achieving both functions simultaneously without the harmful side effects.
2Productivity
If fertilizer concentration is increased in tank mixes, then water usage and soil compaction are reduced, but solubility decreases leading to precipitation and gel formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the tank mix by introducing specific nonionic and anionic surfactants in optimized concentrations. This parameter change modifies the solubility characteristics of the fertilizer compound, allowing it to remain dissolved at higher concentrations that would otherwise cause precipitation, thereby enabling concentrated applications without compromising stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonionic surfactant serves as an intermediary that stabilizes the fertilizer compound in concentrated solutions. It mediates the interaction between fertilizer molecules and water, preventing the compound from precipitating even at high concentrations, thus maintaining solubility and preventing gel formation in concentrated tank mixes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If nonionic surfactants are used to prevent fertilizer precipitation, then solubility is improved, but they are expensive and less effective on hydrophobic soils compared to anionic surfactants
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both nonionic and anionic surfactants into a single formulation. By combining these two surfactant types in specific ratios, the composition achieves the solubility enhancement and precipitation prevention properties of nonionic surfactants while incorporating the superior hydrophobic soil wetting capabilities of anionic surfactants, providing a cost-effective and highly effective solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined surfactant composition achieves multi-functionality: it simultaneously prevents fertilizer precipitation (function of nonionic surfactant) and wets hydrophobic soils effectively (function of anionic surfactant). This universal composition eliminates the need to choose between the two surfactant types, providing both benefits in a single, cost-effective formulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition improves solubility, reduces water usage, minimizes soil compaction, and allows anionic surfactant application to hydrophobic soils, enhancing soil hydrophilicity and crop irrigation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants are typically employed in agriculture to reduce surface tension of water by reducing hydrogen bonding, which in turn facilitates spreading of water over soil and through pores of soil
Implementation Method 2
Conventionally, these anionic surfactants work effectively as soil wetting agents owing to its negatively charged portion
Implementation Method 3
it is well established that anionic surfactants cause certain fertilizer compounds, for example potassium (K) and phosphorous (P) containing fertilizers (particularly when concentrated), to precipitate out of solution and/or form a gel
Implementation Method 4
precipitate out of solution and/or to form a gel, which precipitate or gel hinders dispersing of tank mixed fertilizers
Implementation Method 5
A solubilizing composition comprising an anionic surfactant, such as aryl or alkyl sulfonic acid, and humectants like glycerol and alkyl glycosides, enhances solubility and prevents precipitation
Data Source
AI summary
A solubilizing composition that facilitates solubilizing fertilizer compounds and/or fertilizer compositions when in an aqueous solution particularly in an in-furrow application. The solubilizing composition includes a first anionic surfactant and a first and second humectant.